Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Describe the two roles of the ovaries
- Produce gametes (oogenesis)
2. Produce steroids (oestrogens and progestogens)
Describe the medulla of the ovary
Forms the core of the organ and contains loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics
Describe the cortex of the ovary
Scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma
What layer covers the tunica albuginea
Germinal epithelium; flat simple squamous layer
What layer covers the tunica albuginea
Germinal epithelium; simple squamous layer
Describe the process by which oogonia are formed
Week 6 gestation germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries; proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia
How are mature oocytes formed
Oogonia undergo development and division via meiosis (also termed ova)
What is oogenesis
The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia
What is folliculogenesis
The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells
At what stage are there the most oogonia present in a females ovaries
7 months in utereo - around 5 million oogonia
What is atresia
An apoptosis-based process resulting in the loss of oogonia and oocytes
Name the 3 different types of follicle
- Primordial follicles
- Growing follicles (primary and secondary)
- Mature or Graafian follicles
Before birth, at what stage of meiosis does development halt in the follicles of the ovary
Prophase 1; many follicles will remain in this state for several decades
In a 20-year-old how many follicles will restart development a day
Around 15; drops to around 1 a day in a 40-year-old
What happens to a follicle if it fails to associate with pregranulosa cells
It will die
Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primordial follicle
Simple squamous granulosa cells
Describe the pregranulosa cells of a primary follicle
Cuboidal granulosa cells: zona granulosa
What happens as the oocyte enlarges during the primary follicle stage
A layer of special extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida, begins to form between the oocyte and the granulosa cells
Within a late primary follicle, what change happens to the adjacent stromal cells
They undergo an epitheloid transformation and go on to form the theca interna
What happens to the theca interna, and what does it produce and secrete
It becomes vascularised and secretes oestrogen precursors
What do the outer layers of the late primary follicle form
They remain fibroblast-like and form the theca externa
What does the granulosa cell layer begin expressing during the late primary follicle stage
Expressing receptors for the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
What do the theca interna cells express during the late primary follicle stage
Receptors for luteinising hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary
When can it be said that a secondary follicle has formed
When a space called the antrum has formed
What is the antrum filled with
Follicular fluid
How big can the largest antral follicle get
About 20mm in diameter
What is the cumulus oophorus
The ‘mound’ of cells extending from the wall of the follicle and surrounding the oocyte
What happens in the mature Graafian follicle prior to ovulation
The oocyte and a halo of surrounding cells (corona radiata) will separate from the rest of the lining granulosa cells